Climate impacts on large marine ecosystems

2006 Impact statement
  • Greene, Charles H

abstract

My research focuses on the effects of climate on marine living resources (exploited as well as protected species) and ecosystems. We conduct field and retrospective studies to determine how climate impacts ecosystems today and over the past 50 years.

submitted by

issue being addressed

I feel that climate change is the largest threat to global environmental security during this century. By using my expertise in oceanography, marine ecosystem dynamics, and ocean technology, I have been able to lead teams of investigators to new discoveries about the impacts of climate on marine living resources and ecosystems.

response

We have retrospectively analyzed long-term data sets that have allowed us to identify new modes of climate variability that impact large marine ecosystems in the North Atlantic. We have also begun major new efforts to develop ocean observing systems to monitor future changes in marine living resources and ecosystems in the North Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

impact assessment

We have made major progress in identifying two modes of climate variability that impact marine ecosystems from the Labrador Sea to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. This has resulted in predictive models that will be useful to managers of commercial fisheries and protected cetacean species in the northwest Atlantic. The ocean observatories will enable us to collect new data in both the North Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and assimilate them into predictive models for marine ecosystem forecasting.

topic description

Marine Living Resources & Ecosystems

has funding source

key personnel

  • Andrew Pershing (EAS, Cornell)
  • Bruce Monger (EAS, Cornell)
  • John Horne (University of Washington)
  • David Mountain (NMFS Woods Hole)
  • Peter Smith (BIO, Canada)

department, unit, division

mission focus

From CALS annual faculty reporting. Imported on June 21, 2007